of its poesy, the supposition of my being the subject must restrain me from giving any opinion on that line, except that it ascribes too much to me, especially in what relates to the tyrant, the Revolution having been the work of many able and brave men, wherein it is sufficient honor for me, if I am allowed a small share.  I am much obliged by the favorable sentiments you are pleased to entertain of me.

    “With regard, I have the honor to be, Sir, etc.,

    “B.  FRANKLIN.”

In his acknowledgment of this letter M. Nogaret says,—­“Paris is pleased with the translation of your ‘Eripuit,’ and your portrait, as I had foreseen, makes the fortune of the engraver."[54] But it does not appear to which translation he refers.

Here is another attempt:—­

    “Il a par ses travaux, toujours plus etonnans,
    Ravi la foudre aux Dieux et le sceptre aux tyrans.”

There are other verses which adopt the idea of Turgot.  Here, for instance, is a part of a song by the Abbe Morellet, written for one of the dinners of Madame Helvetius:[55]—­

    “Comme un aigle audacieux,
    Il a vole jusqu’aux cieux,
    Et derobe le tonnerre
    Dont ils effrayaient la terre,
      Heureux larcin
    De l’habile Benjamin.

    “L’Americain indompte
    Recouvre sa liberte;
    Et ce genereux ouvrage,
    Autre exploit de notre sage,
      Est mis a fin
    Par Louis et Benjamin.”

Mr. Sparks found among Franklin’s papers the following paraphrastic version:[56]—­

    “Franklin sut arreter la foudre dans les airs,
    Et c’est le moindre bien qu’il fit a sa patrie;
      Au milieu de climats divers,
      Ou dominait la tyrannie,
    Il fit regner les arts, les moeurs, et le genie;
      Et voila le heros que j’offre a l’univers.”

Nor should I omit a translation into English by Mr. Elphinstone:—­

    “He snatched the bolt from Heaven’s avenging hand,
    Disarmed and drove the tyrant from the land.”

In concluding this sketch, I wish to say that the literary associations of the subject did not tempt me; but I could not resist the inducement to present in its proper character an interesting incident which can be truly comprehended only when it is recognized in its political relations.  To this end it was important to exhibit its history, even in details, so that the verse which has occupied so much attention should be seen not only in its scholarly fascination, but in its wide-spread influence in the circles of the learned and the circles even of the fashionable in Paris and throughout France, binding this great nation by an unchangeable vow to the support of American liberty.  Words are sometimes things; but never were words so completely things as those with which Turgot welcomed Franklin.  The memory of that welcome cannot be forgotten in America.  Can it ever be forgotten in France?